in anton, erken (Ed.) Proceedings of the 4th scientific meeting of the European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians and 5th meeting of the European Wildlife Disease Assocation : Heidelberg, Germany 2002 / editor Anton ERKEN. (2002, May 08)

An adult female harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena ) and a juvenile male harbour seal have been found dead on a Belgian beach in autumn 2001. The two bodies were in good condition (CC = 2). Pure and ... [more ▼]

An adult female harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena ) and a juvenile male harbour seal have been found dead on a Belgian beach in autumn 2001. The two bodies were in good condition (CC = 2). Pure and abundant growth of a small rod-shaped, Gram-labile bacterium was obtained aerobically and anaerobically on Columbia bloodagar from the heart blood, the mouth, the pharynx, the lungs, the intestine and the anus of the porpoise, and from the intestine, the pharynx, the mouth, the nose and the anus of the seal. The colonies were surrounded by a narrow zone of a-hemolysis. The catalase- and peroxydase-tests gave negative results. Rapid ID 32 Strepto (Biomérieux, France) sugar tests applied on porpoise’s heart blood, lungs and intestine, and on seal’s intestine and pharynx identified this isolate to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is not reported as a common cause of infection and death in wild cetaceans and wild pinnipeds in opposite to respectively captive dolphins and sea lions. Nevertheless, E. rhusiopathiae can be considered as the cause of death of the stranded harbour porpoise as it was present in heart blood and internal organs, and the seal was carrying the bacterium with lesions of enteritis which could be associated with E. rhusiopathiae infectio [less ▲]

Necrolytic migratory erythema (NME) is generally associated with glucagonoma. It waxes and wanes by successive relapses and remissions. The clinical and microscopical diagnosis is complex. In addition to ... [more ▼]

Necrolytic migratory erythema (NME) is generally associated with glucagonoma. It waxes and wanes by successive relapses and remissions. The clinical and microscopical diagnosis is complex. In addition to glucagonoma treatments, the administration of corticoids, aminoacids, zinc or essential fatty acids can be helpful. There exist several etiological hypotheses for NME. These are based on modifications of pancreatic enzyme activities and on variations of aminoacids, fatty acids, zinc or glucagon concentrations. [less ▲]

in Clinical and Experimental Hypertension. Part A, Theory and Practice (1985), A7(4), 553-572

The Na-K cotransport activity was measured in erythrocytes of 123 normotensive and 92 hypertensive patients, using the methodology described by Dagher and Garay. Large overlap of the values obtained in ... [more ▼]

The Na-K cotransport activity was measured in erythrocytes of 123 normotensive and 92 hypertensive patients, using the methodology described by Dagher and Garay. Large overlap of the values obtained in the two populations is observed, in such a way this laboratory test cannot be applied for the discrimination between primary and secondary hypertension. Moreover, the abnormalities described for the Na-K cotransport do not appear specific for primary hypertension. In this study, the influence of hypertensive heredity, but also obesity on this cotransport system could not be demonstrated. However, this transport activity is significantly decreased in patients with chronic renal failure, during treatment with oestro-progestatives or during the oestrogenic phase of the menstrual cycle. These data strongly suggest that the cotransport activity could be modified not only by the hypertensive familial predisposition but also by environmental and hormonal influences. [less ▲]

The effect of hemodialysis (acetate buffer) or hemofiltration on blood pressure, heart rate, peripheral vascular resistances, red blood cells ionic fluxes, and plasma natriuretic activity has been studied in six male patients treated for end-stage renal disease. The hemodynamic response to these two modes of treatment markedly differs. Whereas, peripheral resistances increase and heart rate is not affected during hemofiltration , a decrease in blood pressure, tachycardia, and vasodilation is observed during hemodialysis. However , in both therapeutic approaches, red blood cell ouabain-sensitive sodium-potassium pump activity increases in a similar way, and the plasmatic natriuretic activity decreases, whereas the vascular response to norepinephrine is reduced. All of these changes were strongly correlated to the amount of fluid removed. The natriuretic activity may thus play a role in the regulation of blood pressure and hemodynamic adjustments to fluid removal in chronic renal failure between two dialyses, but its action is not predominent during the dialysis session itself. [less ▲]

There are two models of topology for the membrane domains of the erythrocyte/brain facilitative glucose transporter, GLUT1. The first is composed of 12 membrane-spanning a-helices, the second of 16 ... [more ▼]

There are two models of topology for the membrane domains of the erythrocyte/brain facilitative glucose transporter, GLUT1. The first is composed of 12 membrane-spanning a-helices, the second of 16 membrane-spanning b-strands. We have used Jähnig’s and Eisenberg’s methods to identify possible transmembrane segments (10 spanning a-helices and 4 b-strands). The topology proposed is more consistent with available experimental data from FTIR, CD and mapping experiment than the previous models . We suggest that GLUT1 might form two channels, one of which is responsible for glucose transport. This agrees with the theoretical and experimental arguments. Finally, an analysis of the mutation periodicity and of the mean hydrophobicity for the GLUT family is provided in order to evaluate the packing of the protein in the membrane. Keywords: [less ▲]

BACKGROUND: It is now well established that after conventional allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT), erythropoietic recovery is impaired because erythropoietin (Epo) production ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: It is now well established that after conventional allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT), erythropoietic recovery is impaired because erythropoietin (Epo) production remains inadequate for prolonged periods of time. However, erythropoietic reconstitution after nonmyeloablative SCT (NMSCT) has never been characterized. METHODS: Twelve patients received a nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen consisting of 2 Gy total body irradiation (TBI) alone (n=6), 2 Gy TBI and fludarabine (n=3), or cyclophosphamide and fludarabine (n=3), followed by transplantation of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cells. Graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) prophylaxis was carried out with mycophenolate mofetil (from day -1 to day 28) plus cyclosporine (from day -1 to day 120 or longer in case of chronic GvHD). Erythropoiesis was quantitated by soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) levels, and the adequacy of Epo production was evaluated by the observed-to-predicted Epo ratio (O/P Epo). RESULTS: Mean sTfR levels decreased following the conditioning regimen but remained well within the normal range throughout the posttransplant period. The O/P Epo ratio presented an initial surge quite similar to that observed after conventional conditioning. Thereafter, the O/P Epo ratio normalized rapidly, and Epo levels remained adequate during the whole observation period. CONCLUSION: Contrarily to what is observed after myeloablative transplant, Epo levels remained adequate after NMSCT, resulting in normal erythropoiesis. These results suggest that the administration of erythropoietin therapy (rHuEpo) could be less effective after NMSCT than after conventional allogeneic transplant. [less ▲]

In this review, the pathophysiology and treatment of the anemia of multiple myeloma will be examined. While the anemia of cancer has multiple causes, an important component is labeled the "anemia of ... [more ▼]

In this review, the pathophysiology and treatment of the anemia of multiple myeloma will be examined. While the anemia of cancer has multiple causes, an important component is labeled the "anemia of chronic disease" which is characterized by the combination of a shortened erythrocyte survival with failure of the bone marrow to increase red cell production in compensation. Depressed erythropoiesis is itself related to a combination of factors, including impaired availability of storage iron, inadequate erythropoietin response to anemia, and overproduction of cytokines which are capable of inhibiting erythropoiesis. These cytokines are involved in the retention of iron in the reticuloendothelial system, gastrointestinal tract and hepatocytes, may interfere with erythropoietin production by the kidney, and may exert direct inhibitory effects on erythroid precursors. While overproduction of several such cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1 and TNF-alpha, has been definitely demonstrated in multiple myeloma patients, it is still unclear whether they are directly involved in the pathogenesis of the anemia which develops. Although several mechanisms, such as hemodilution, bleeding, and decreased red cell survival operate, the anemia is mostly caused by defective erythropoietic activity. This in turn is partly explained by inadequate erythropoietin (Epo) production even in some patients without renal impairment. Based on measurements of serum erythropoietin and transferrin receptor, the distinction between marrow unresponsiveness to normal Epo stimulation and deficient Epo production is important for the treatment of the anemia of multiple myeloma with recombinant human Epo. Higher doses would probably be necessary if adequate Epo production is present, whereas only replacement therapy with lower doses may be sufficient when Epo production has been shown to be inappropriate. [less ▲]

We investigated the pathophysiology of erythropoiesis in 62 patients with multiple myeloma and examined whether it would establish a rational basis for the treatment of their anaemia with recombinant ... [more ▼]

We investigated the pathophysiology of erythropoiesis in 62 patients with multiple myeloma and examined whether it would establish a rational basis for the treatment of their anaemia with recombinant human erythropoietin. Erythropoietin (Epo) production was evaluated by serum levels and erythropoiesis was quantitated by serum transferrin receptor (TfR) levels, both assessed relative to the degree of anaemia. Instead of the expected stimulation of erythropoiesis in response to anaemia, haematocrit correlated positively with marrow erythropoietic activity, indicating that the mechanism of anaemia was primarily defective red cell production. Erythropoiesis decreased and anaemia worsened significantly with advancing clinical stage. 25% of the patients had inadequate Epo production and this proportion increased to 50% in stage 3. Inappropriate Epo production was seen in 60% of patients with renal impairment but was also observed in a number of patients with normal renal function. Erythropoiesis correlated strongly with the adequacy of Epo production, particularly in advanced disease. We conclude that most myeloma patients have defective red cell production even in the absence of massive marrow infiltration and that inappropriate Epo production contributes to their anaemia. [less ▲]

The use of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) to intensify the erythropoietic response in autologous donors may reduce homologous blood requirement. We studied the effect of subcutaneous rhEPO (500 ... [more ▼]

The use of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) to intensify the erythropoietic response in autologous donors may reduce homologous blood requirement. We studied the effect of subcutaneous rhEPO (500 U kg-1 body weight twice weekly during a 3 week period) on variables of erythropoiesis and iron metabolism in 62 autologous blood donors, of whom 32 received rhEPO (epo group) and 30 did not (control group). Patients donated only 2 units of blood and received oral iron in order to restrict phlebotomy-induced decrease of iron stores. Pre-phlebotomy haemoglobin concentration (14.0 +/- 0.8 g dl-1) was completely regenerated in the epo group at surgery (13.7 +/- 1.3 g dl-1); haemoglobin concentration in the control group fell from 13.5 +/- 1.4 g dl-1 to 11.6 +/- 1.4 g dl-1 after the phlebotomies and did not improve during the pre-operative phase. Total erythropoietic activity expressed as serum transferrin receptor concentration (sTfR) showed a 4-fold increase from 3.8 +/- 0.9 micrograms ml-1 to 14.9 +/- 4.8 micrograms ml-1 in the epo group. Effective erythropoietic activity measured by absolute reticulocyte count, however, declined after the fourth rhEPO injection in the epo group. Serum ferritin was lower in the epo group, but no differences in serum iron, transferrin concentration and transferrin saturation were observed between the groups. A marked increase in free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) was observed in the epo group, whereas FEP levels in the controls remained within normal ranges. Despite oral iron supplementation and the limited number of phlebotomies, the effect of rhEPO therapy in autologous donors is restricted by iron depletion. [less ▲]